Myrtle Beach Articles

Pirates Take Over Myrtle Beach

Pirates Voyage has docked in the paradise of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. What was formerly known as Dixie Stampede has now been changed to a new dinner theme theater called Pirates Voyage. The production upgrades for the new adventure attraction took five months to remodel and were estimated to cost $11 million. The much anticipated show opened in Myrtle Beach in June 2011. The theater features a buccaneer battle with a five-course pirate feast, spectacular acrobatic competition, live animals and a brand new original music score by Dolly Parton. While you're visiting the area, make sure to stay at Myrtle Beach's Sea Mist Oceanfront Resort, only 15 minutes from Pirates Voyage.

Larry McCoy, director of sales and marketing for Pirates Voyage, praised the high energy and special effects of the production, which will include other sidelights such as surprise animal appearances and mermaids to lighten up the mood from scenes of pirates battling everywhere. The arena consists of about 950 seats sectioned into Crimson and Sapphire pirate camps. There's hardwood flooring everywhere and a ceiling raised by thirty feet to accommodate ship platforms, catwalks and high-flying antics. The two ships sit in a 15-foot deep, 750,000 gallon lagoon. The diving boards on both vessels in this theater double as planks, but only for adding acrobatic trappings for diners overlooking the Buccaneer Bay Lagoon.

What should guests expect when they visit Pirates Voyage? Even before stepping onto the ships, guests will warm up their evening by first stopping in a pirate village, where strolling musicians entertain and the kids have their own warm-up act in two stations. Not only can children get made up to look like pirates with help from tattoos and patches, they can hit the sandbox to find and make their own treasures of jewelry to take into the show.

Spirits of Blackbeard and his buccaneers, Captain Kidd and Anne Bonnie that once sailed the coast of the Carolinas have come to life in Myrtle Beach's newest show in many years. Guests will experience the boasting excitement of two pirate camps as they battle for the lost treasure. Pirates Voyage just might take your breath away as the Crimson and Sapphire pirates battle each other on deck, in the water and in the sky above their full-sized pirate ships in a 15-foot deep, indoor, hideaway lagoon. Which camp will take the treasure may be up to you as you cheer the buccaneers on to victory.

"Some folks ask me why I would want to change Dixie Stampede after our incredible success all these years. Nearly 7 million guests have enjoyed the show over the last 18 years. It may be a bold move, but I think it's the right one," said Dolly. "Myrtle Beach has so many repeat visitors because it is such a great vacation destination, it made sense for us to create a new adventure for families to enjoy, and what speaks to this area more than pirates. I'm so excited about this new show. I think Pirates Voyage will take our guest's breath away, so grab your hats and eye patches and head on over to the Pirates Voyage!"